DISCOMFORT ZONES

I Was Just Thinking About – DISCOMFORT ZONES.

If given a choice, most would prefer the COMFORT zone rather than the DISCOMFORT one. What are some of the discomfort zones of life. The list can be long and varied. It could include grief due to the loss of a loved one or a very close friend. It might reflect a prevailing malady for which one receives treatment and care but hope of remedy and cure is not the calculation. The malady may not be life-threatening but causing one degrees of limitation. The Wounded Warriors, those who served the nation in areas of conflict, come to mind. A subtle area of discomfort is the pursuit of happiness in life’s situations. Especially when one finds it to be more of an illusion than a reality. A debilitating discomfort zone is where one struggles with depression. Medications fail to bring recovery or meaningful relief.

The Apostle Paul shared his heart when he wrote about a “thorn in the flesh” that limited him and made travel and ministry more difficult for him. He wrote about it in II Corinthians 12:7-10, “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me: My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

David led a very active life and faced all kinds of challenges. In some of the Psalms written by him, he often makes reference to fear and anxiety. He would write using the words “Fret not!” He had in mind the world in which he was living and the manner in which evildoers seemed to prevail unencumbered. In Psalm 23:4, David wrote: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” The “rod” would be for correction and discipline; the “staff” for guidance and direction.

Regardless of where one finds himself/herself and the discomfort that is connected to it, the Lord still holds His children in the protective hollow of His hand – the place of safety and reassurance. Isaiah 43:1-3 reminds us: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One…your Savior.”

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.

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